St. Marianne Cope Parish

The largest religious group in the country after Roman Catholics is fallen away Roman Catholics. About 20 million to be precise and growing every day. The majority of these folks don’t join another faith. When asked why they don’t return to their faith, most answer “no on ever invited me to come back.” Most non practicing Catholics would prefer to return to the church, however … Continue reading An Invitation

A common complaint among the grads of our Welcoming Catholics Home program, for fallen away Catholics, is that they don’t feel “welcome” when they return to the church. They long for the feelings of “connection and belonging.” Some returnees actually attended protestant or evangelical churches where they were targeted and welcomed heartily and encouraged to attend services. They felt wanted and included immediately. In … Continue reading The Smile Ministry

In his article “In Hoc Anno Domini”, Vermont Royster points out that when Christ was born the whole world was in bondage, there was one state and that was Rome and one master and that was Tiberius Caesar. Everywhere there was civil order and stability but everywhere there was something else, oppression. What was a man for but to serve Caesar? There was persecution of those … Continue reading A New Year’s Resolution

Isaiah…his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Did you ever wonder why Jesus, the Messiah, who could have written his own life story came to us as he did? He could have come as a mighty warrior and ruled over us with an iron fist. Why did he choose to enter into time in such a lowly and … Continue reading The Prince of Peace

Christmas is all about giving. Many of us take a name tag off the Christmas tree on the altar area and give a gift to a needy child. Santa and his elves are busy working away at the North Pole to bring that special gift to the kids and is probably the most well known gift giver. Of course we all know about the three … Continue reading The Gift

Advent is filled with hustle and bustle as we shop for everyone on our Christmas list trying to find the perfect gift. It’s probably a good time to take a breather, find a few moments of silence and look at the real gifts we should give one another. The real gifts aren’t the latest techie toy, the clothes, the jewelry. Here is a “spiritual Christmas … Continue reading A Christmas List

Advent is a time of waiting. It is also a time of preparing for the coming of Jesus. Here is a simple but powerful prayer that will draw you closer to the Lord everyday of Advent. Plan to use it all year long and comment at any time on how it made a difference in your life. A Daily Check-in Jesus You have been present … Continue reading Advent: A Time of Preparation